PhD Candidate in Privacy Preserving Machine Learning

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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the position

The Department of Information Security and Communication Technology has a vacancy for 1 PhD Research Fellow in Privacy Preserving Machine Learning. The successful candidate will be offered a 3-year position.

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia. 

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department. The work place can be in Trondheim or Gjøvik. 

As a candidate you will work in a collaboration between the university, the internationally accredited registrar and classification society DNV, and Cancer Registry of Norway. You will be analyzing and developing algorithms for privacy preserving health registry data access. The goals of such access include supporting registry operations as well as health care research. Of particular interest in this context are differentially private algorithms for statistical model parameter estimation under different trust relations.

About the project

The position is funded by the Norwegian Research Center for AI Innovation and will be based in the Cryptology discipline of the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology. 

The candidate will be analyzing and developing algorithms for privacy preserving health registry data access. The mandatory education part must be completed before a degree can be awarded.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in the research group Cryptology discipline and  
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Other career-promoting work

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a relevant master’s degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related area with very good results. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. 
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you maybe considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD program in Information Security and Communication Technology. 
• Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language or are not native English speakers must provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are: 
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test).
  • IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted). 
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A. 
• Advanced classes with very good grades in / experience with relevant topics as the research topic rests heavily on quantitative analysis, design of algorithms, and proofs of algorithm properties. Importantly, the successful candidate has a strong interest in exploring both theoretical and practical aspects of differentially private computations. 
• Advanced programming skills, preferably experience with programming in Python. 
• Ability to perform research in a cross-disciplinary environment.

SE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Good organization and communication skills.
• Relevant publication activities will be considered an advantage. 

Personal characteristics

We are seeking applicants who are:    

• Highly motivated by fundamental scientific research of practical relevance
• Able to work independently
• Well organized and have interests beyond their own research
• Eager to disseminate research results both locally as well as through publications and presentations at international conferences

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualifications specified in the advertisement. 

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is for 3 years.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme within Information Security and Communication Technology, within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:

• Statement of interest (less than 400 words)
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees
• Curriculum vitae
• List of publications if you have them (including a brief description of your contribution to multi-author papers)
• Copy of master’s thesis. If you have recently submitted your master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position. If the thesis is not written in English, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, you are asked to additionally submit an English summary of the thesis (1-2 pages)
• A one-page essay on what you imagine your work in this project will be, and how the project relates to previous education, research and competence
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees
• Certificates if applicable
   

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Staal Vinterbo by email Staal.Vinterbo@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR, Katrine Rennan, katrine.rennan@ntnu.no

Application deadline: 15.11.2025

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For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality. 

Gjøvik, NTNU Campus in Gjøvik hosts approx. 4000 students. The town boasts a vibrant community with excellent schools, modern healthcare services, and a variety of recreational activities. With its strategic location, just a short drive from Oslo, Gjøvik combines the best of urban life and outdoor experiences. There are short distances to the mountain areas for hiking, skiing, and wilderness experiences as well as dynamic business environments and exciting career opportunities in a setting that values work-life balance. The lakeside location by the shores of Lake Mjøsa is known for its beautiful nature and rich cultural heritage.